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Letter from General Frank Ross McCoy, Vice President of Theodore Roosevelt Association, to the landscape architecture firm Olmsted Brothers acknowledging approval for Theodore Roosevelt Island plans. General McCoy also approves payment to the Olmsted Brothers.
Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial
1947-07-14
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-11-16
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
English
Frank Ross McCoy was glad to get the horse Roswell back for Theodore Roosevelt, and promises that with some care and regular riding he will be back to his old self in no time. McCoy also speaks about horsemanship and training in the Army, which is improving.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-06-26
Frank Ross McCoy sends Theodore Roosevelt birthday greetings and also sends what he believes are the first holiday greetings to Roosevelt and his hunting party in Africa. McCoy has seen many of his and Roosevelt’s mutual friends and tells him about activities that they have been undertaking in the southwest, including marches and hunting trips. He updates Roosevelt on changes in military training and updated service regulations and also discusses the International Horse Show, in which Americans are competing against British officers.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-10-27
Captain Frank Ross McCoy thanks President Roosevelt for giving him a share of the credit for improving the army’s horsemanship standards. McCoy wishes that he could have joined Roosevelt on his ride to Warrenton, which he feels set an excellent example for lazy officers. Although McCoy envies Roosevelt’s current aide, Captain Archibald Willingham Butt, he is glad to have implemented real improvements to the cavalry during his own tenure in the position. McCoy hopes that, before March 4, Roosevelt can suggest to the committee revising the Field Service Regulations that the organization and training of army pack trains be improved. Packing for cavalry is becoming a “lost art.” McCoy also shares his plans for Presidents’ Day.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1909-02-02
Frank Ross McCoy sends President Roosevelt holiday greetings, and describes his recent travels in New Mexico. He remarks that the land he is traveling in seems just like it must have when the first conquistadores were exploring it. Roosevelt’s letter ordering tests in horsemanship for army officers is being carried out.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-12-24
Frank Ross McCoy reports on activities in Yosemite National Park, hoping to remind President Roosevelt of the “fine work and sport of the summertime.” John Muir, Joseph N. LeConte, and other members of the Sierra Club have said that the change in the valley has been very positive since it became part of the national park this year. The superintendent, Harry Coupland Benson, knows the park well and is popular with the Sierra Club. McCoy describes the park rangers and some encounters with grizzly bears, noting he found the instinct to shoot very strong but felt “stern duty’s restraining hand.” McCoy says Interior Secretary James R. Garfield came and went in a flurry, mentioning that he finds Roosevelt’s cabinet officers showing up everywhere to be “inspiring,” now that he has experienced it in the Philippines, Cuba, and the United States. McCoy offers his thoughts on race relations between the Californians and Japanese, as well as the attitudes of people on the West Coast regarding the Great White Fleet. McCoy regrets he cannot conduct Roosevelt and his family personally through the park.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-08-07
Frank Ross McCoy relates to President Roosevelt that Captain Herbert H. Sargent read him a letter “from an officer of standing who was…on Kettle Hill, and who takes exception” to the statement that Roosevelt and General Samuel S. Sumner led the charge. McCoy requests Roosevelt send Sargent a copy of George M. Barber’s journal account of the event as supporting evidence. Wishing Roosevelt could experience it, McCoy describes military camp life at Fort Riley. He attests that Edgar Alexander Mearns is a valuable asset for the Africa trip.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-08-18
Frank Ross McCoy updates Secretary of War Taft on his investigation into the Cienfuegos waterworks case. His conclusion is that the opposition to Hugh J. Reilly’s contract on one side, and support on another, is due to political factions fighting for control of the city. He spoke to many people in Cienfuegos who believe that the best way to resolve the conflict is for the central government to do the work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-08
Captain McCoy reports on the feasibility of carrying out the modified Reilly water contract in Cienfuegos, Cuba. Past experiences of Spain and the American Military Government have shown that the best way to carry out contracts in Cuba is to make the central government a party to the contract. Large-scale contracts have only been successful when they are carried out by the central government.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-05-08